Date: Tue, 9 May 95 15:46:37 PDT From: "Angela 'Anna' Korra'ti (EDP)" To: crystal@duke.poly.edu Subject: LOG: Kevlan Goes into the Ranges, Part 3 Message-ID: <9505092302.AA26164@netmail2.microsoft.com> Archive-name: kev-ranges-3.log [Introduction]: After Rykos has offered him the coordinates of a black claim, and after Bernadette has begun to go into crystal withdrawal, Kevlan Sharr finds himself having to struggle with his fear of going into the Ranges - the first time he's done so since his return from Hesperia. But Berni's condition outweighs his fear, and thus, his friends Tamber and Jerrik talk him into taking his sled, the _Teesa Narie_, out into the waiting Milekeys.... ---------- Kevlan's sled This sled still shows faint marks where an unsealed box of crystals emptied its contents. A newly welded patch of floor and a distinct smell of disinfectant from the catering unit also speak of a much abused sled. This is a 2 person capacity sled. There is room in this sled for 8 cartons, 0 have been checked out. One of the special new engines has been installed, allowing for greater speeds. The console is on. The speaker is off. The auto-scanner is on. A small metal plate is fastened to the upper left corner, you can just make out "Teesa Narie" scratched into the surface. The weather is fine. A good day for flying. ( Type 'sled help' to see available commands. ) Your thoughts often turn to Ballybran. Non-singers around you see: Kevlan seems to be distracted. Bernadette has arrived. Kevlan, having awkwardly gotten you into his copilot's seat, trembles violently as he struggles to keep the _Teesa_ flying steadily aloft. Bernadette moans softly in her prone position in the co-pilot's seat. [Kevlan flies on - very nearly crashing the sled five or six times as his flying skills, months out of practice, are made worse by his extreme anxiety. But somehow, he manages to keep the sled in the air until he approaches the coordinates Rykos had given him... ] Bernadette groans as she suffers another spasm. A buzzer goes off and the scanner light shows green, indicating that a landing spot has been found. Kevlan mutters anxiously to himself as he forces his hands to work right.... Sled stopped. Kevlan brings the sled to a halt. You carefully land the sled. Kevlan brings the sled to a gentle landing. With a _thump_, the sled ungracefully lands, throwing both its occupants around - hardly the best flying Kevlan has ever done. Shakily, with an anxious groan, he unbuckles himself and staggers to your side. Bernadette's eyes flutter as she jostled in the landing, but they're glazed over and she doesn't appear to have minded it. Kevlan tugs at you worriedly, crying hoarsely, "Berni... B-Berni honey.... c-c'mon... please.... " Kevlan awkwardly scoops you up into his arms. Bernadette blinkblinks and swivels her eyes to your face, struggling to focus. "Kevlan..." You step out from the cramped interior of the sled "Teesa Narie." Sinkhole The walls of these caverns look old, yet recently disturbed by whatever force of nature has opened them. You are standing on the ledge of a sinkhole that leads down into darkness. The ledge is large enough to support a sled but any further progress will have to be on foot. The walls here a smooth yet unfinished, as though part of the earth has been dragged downwards. The only exception is the chute leading downwards. It is rocky but you think with care you could descend. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. Contents: Kevlan's sled Obvious exits: Down Bernadette steps out from the cramped interior of the airsled "Teesa Narie." Bernadette has arrived. Kevlan shivers, the wind whipping against him here - he'd completely forgotten to put on a jacket. But he staggers with you down through the hole. You scramble down the chute dislodging a few stones which clatter on the floor. Grotto The walls of these caverns look old, yet recently disturbed by whatever force of nature has opened them. This room opens into a natural cavern. The phosphorescent glow here is enough to light the room and seems to be much brighter from the glowing passage to the west. All about the room there are piles of broken rock, remnants of whatever force of nature opened these caves. In the shadows about the walls of the cavern you can make out a dark passage to the east. The chute leading back to the ledge is above your head and you could probably reach it by scrambling up the rubble piled here. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. Obvious exits: Glowing Passage Dark Passage Up Bernadette shuffles down the chute, dislodging a few stones which clatter near your feet. Bernadette has arrived. You grit your teeth and walk into the darkness Stalagmite Room The walls of these caverns look old, yet recently disturbed by whatever force of nature has opened them. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. It is pitch black here and you hope there is nothing dangerous about to nibble at your ankles. Obvious exits: Wet Passage Dim Passage Bernadette enters the room from the Grotto. Bernadette has arrived. You try to walk through the room but hit your head in the darkness and retreat back to the entrance. You wander back into the Grotto. Bernadette emerges from the darkness to the west. Bernadette has arrived. You walk into the light, your eyes quickly adapting. Glowing Room The walls of these caverns look old, yet recently disturbed by whatever force of nature has opened them. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. Balls of soft green and blue light hang from every surface of this room. The lights look almost tangible and you cannot help but want to touch one to confirm its presence. Every wall and egress of this cavern is lit almost as bright as daylight. The effect is dazzling although you far too much time here could induce a nasty headache. The light, though varying in colour, does not vary in its intensity and you notice a complete lack of shadows. There is a rocky passage to the south and the passage back to the Grotto is set in the eastern wall. Obvious exits: Rocky Passage Grotto Bernadette emerges from the shadows to the east. Bernadette has arrived. You clamber through the rocky passage. Rockslide The walls of these caverns look old, yet recently disturbed by whatever force of nature has opened them. This passage ends in what looks like a rockslide and the air is still thick with dust. Obviously the force of nature that opened these caverns has disturbed more than it should. From the look of the walls here, there may have once been a passage beyond the rubble, however, you can see no way to pass any further. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. Obvious exits: Glowing Passage Bernadette clambers through the rocky passage from the north. Bernadette has arrived. Kevlan mumbles anxiously, "It... it's gotta be heah... Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah cain't heah it... " You walk back into the light. Glowing Room Bernadette emerges from the rocky passage to the south. Bernadette has arrived. You wander back to the Grotto. Grotto Bernadette emerges from the lighted passage to the west. Bernadette has arrived. Bernadette speaks weakly. "I can walk.." Kevlan weeps roughly, clinging to you against him. As you speak, he suddenly gasps. "Berni?" Bernadette is exceedingly pale and drenched in a cold sweat, but she looks at you blearily. "What?" Kevlan looks around frantically. "Cain't find it... it's quiet.... ever'thin's quiet.... " Kevlan starts pacing the length of the caves, eyes filled with need. You grit your teeth and walk into the darkness Stalagmite Room Bernadette enters the room from the Grotto. Bernadette has arrived. Bernadette starts coughing as she sucks in saliva the wrong way. She croaks out between coughs, "Sing to it...It'll answer... Kevlan freezes, stricken. Bernadette sags again, her coughing forgotten and she whimpers again against the shuddering spasms. "Please Kevlan..." she manages between clenched teeth. Kevlan whimpers softly, "Ah... Ah dreamed... " Kevlan scoops you up as you falter again, and pleads, "Be okay, Berni... please... " Kevlan staggers through the darkness. You enter this room being careful not to touch the clammy walls. Dripping Room The walls of these caverns look old, yet recently disturbed by whatever force of nature has opened them. The walls, ceiling and floor here are damp to the touch. The air itself is noticably cooler and the is a constant dripping sound that you cannot isolate to one source. Down the walls small rivulets of water flow and drain away into a hole in the centre of the room. There is a possibility that this room backs onto a lake or a river and it would be ill advisable to try any sort of digging here. Standing still in this room the feeling on being inside some terrible creature's mouth is even stronger. The very walls feel alive and you cannot supress the cold shiver that runs down your back. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. Obvious exits: Down Dark Passage As you climb down the hole you find yourself clinging to one wall. Underground Lake The walls of these caverns look old, yet recently disturbed by whatever force of nature has opened them. This cavern is the largest you have found in this area. Small Phosphorescent growths provide enough light to reveal a spectacular sight. Stretching almost one hundred metres across, an underground lake dominates the cavern. The rivulets from above flow quietly into the lake, rippling its surface. The entire scene is hauntingly beautiful and unspoiled. The reflections off the lake are crossed by the ripples of flowing water until blue and green sparkles cover its entire surface, as though the lake were full of jewels. The faint sound of running water has a calming effect and for a moment you forget where you are. The entire cavern is shaped like an enormous auditorium. The acoustics are perfect and as you sing softly the room reverberates with your echos. Rough handholds on the western wall would allow you to climb back into the room above. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. Obvious exits: Up Flickers of light dance across your eye, crystal is here. Here and there, a little faded, you can see a bright blue circle, randomly cris-crossed with black stripes. The vein subtly sings to you in a scale of A. You catch a sparkling glimmer of pure black. Kevlan staggers into the cavern... and sinks to his knees. Bernadette blinkblinks as she gains her wits enough to sense where you are and looks around. Kevlan stares at the black face of crystal in trepidation, all the remaining color drained out of his face. He makes an odd kind of noiseless whimper. Your thoughts often wonder to the pleasant memories of crystal in your hands singing softly to you. Non-singers around you see: Kevlan appears to be daydreaming. Bernadette, with a strength you wouldn't have guessed she had in her current state, pushes away from you with a whimper and crawls towards the vein. Kevlan doesn't move to stop you, but stares heartsick at the crystal... almost as if he were scared of it. Bernadette oblivious to the cuts being opened on her hands and knees by the scattered shards and rocks, continues inching toward the vein, curling her fingers tightly around handsful of dirt and shards. Bernadette reaches the vein and presses her hands against it, weeping again. Kevlan seems transfixed, as he mutters, "No," shaking his head rapidly. Bernadette, on her knees in front of the vein, hangs her head between her arms, hands pressed against the vein, still weeping. She takes a breath and sings a low A..but isn't able to maintain it, although the vein answers her short note sweetly. Kevlan jerks as if backhanded, his head snapping up in an expression surprisingly like alarm. Bernadette pounds one fist weakly against the vein in frustration and tries again. She sings a low A, holding the note a little longer this time, the vein answering her eagerly. Again her voice falters and her note subsides, the crystal's echo bouncing around the cavern. Kevlan gives a low groan, and finally moves, stumbling awkwardly to the edge of the vein. Kevlan lurches up behind you, breath caught in his throat, as he stares yearningly at the black face. Bernadette abruptly pulls herself together and stops crying. Her grinds her small fists in her eyes, wiping away the tears and places her hands flat against th vein once more. She draws in a mighty breath...a Singer's breath...from deep in her belly....and opens her mouth. Her soprano voice rings loud and clear....strong...in a high A...and holds the note this time, apparantly cemented to the face. Kevlan jerks again at that mighty note - but with less motion this time. His blue eyes start to glaze over. You don't hear resonance in your body anymore, somehow this almost bothers you. Non-singers around you see: Kevlan seems to be distracted. Bernadette breaks the note long enough only to take another breath and resume singing. Kevlan stops moving entirely... frozen, his expression blanked, as the black vein chimes deeply in response to Bernadette's sung note. [Continued in part 4.]